Nutcracker



` May' 5. ma?. 626,905

L. ZIFFERER NUTCRACKER Filed Feb. 15. 1926 Cil all)

Patented May 3, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOTI'IAR R. ZIFFERER, 0F COLUMBIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

NUTCRACKER.

Application filed February rl`his invention relates to a nut .cracker employing the cam and lever principle ior gaining a n'iechanical advantage whereby to apply a crushing force to a nut which is placed between its jaws.

For its object this invention aims at simplicity, strength, and eiiective application ot a torce by which to crush a nut or other ob-i ject. As illustrative ot' one embodiment ot my invention reference may behad to the accompanying drawing wherem Figs. l and l are plan views olI a nut cracher showing the jaws in two different positions; and Fig. 3 is a transverse section therethrough taken on line 3-3 ol Fig. 2.

In the form shown, my device comprises what may be termed a stationary jaw A to which is pivoted at l a movable jaw B. As by means ot a spring 5 the two jaws are normally held apart in the position of Fic.

1. The engaging faces of the jaw are preterably serrated, and may diverge so as to accommodate nuts of varying size.

At the end of the stationary jaw remote from its pivotal connection ll, I providea laterally extending slotted arm 6. Within the slotted end of this arm is pivotally connected, as at 7, a second-class lever C which is suitably conligured to be grasped by the hand. As part of this lever, I provide a cam 9 preferably slotted as at 10 to receive a rib 11 which extends lengthwise along the movable jaw. The cam engages with the movable jaw close to the tree end thereof, and with inward movement of the lever shi'l'ts its weight point longitudinally thereo'l toward the pivotal connection 4t.

The shape ot the lateral arm 6 conforms generally to the movement curve ol'v the itree end oit the jaw (i. from which projects a lug 'l2 which is slidably received within. the slot of this arm. By this means the jaw B is guided throughout its movements. Inlilre manner, the rib and slot engagement oit this same jaw and lever C tends to hold the one part in correct alignment with the other in all positions ot their relative movement. I provide 'further on the short end ot the lever a nose 13 which engages with the lug 12 when the parts are in their normal position, as in Fig. 1, whereby the lever is prevented ;trom swinging outwardly beyond the point indicated.

It is preferred that the outer side of the 15, 1926. Serial No. 88,288.

stationary jaw should be suitably rounded to enable the operatoi"s lingers to grasp the sainecomfortably. Upon placing a nut, or other object, between the aws and applying pressure to the lever, its cam 9 will exert a Ylorce against the movable jaw B such as to close the space between the jaws with crushing eti'ect. The cani 9 basa shitting weight point in these lever movements, the fulcruni 7 remaining lixed. oi the jaws is brought to a stop when the lug 'l2 engages with the end ot the slot in the lateral arm, as indicated in Fig. 2.

A, .nut cracker constructed in accordance with the description just given is very durav ble, and fapable ot exerting a powerful and crushing force against the nut or other object which is positioned between its two jaws. The device need not be handled with any special care since there are no parts t0 get out of order, and ample provision is made l'or assuring that the several moving parts shall remain always properly centered.

The closing movement In addition, the movable jaw which takesl the thrust from the lever is reinforced longitudinally by the rib, and thus acts to withstandl any pressure which may be put upon it without bending or distortion.

I claim:

l. In a nut cracker, the combination et a pair ot jaws interpivoted at one end, spring means tending to separate the aivs, an arm extended from the free end ot one jaw to overlic the corresponding end ot the other jaw, a rib extending longitudinally along the jaw last named, a lever having va slotted arm adapted to straddle the rib and bear against the jaw, and a pivotal connection be tween the lever and the arm which is extended from the other jaw, substantially as described.

2. In a nut cracker, the combina-tion of a pair of pivoted jaws7 one having a slotted arm extended laterally to overlie the other, a lever pivoted t0 said arm and having a cam in engagement with the other jaw, and a reinforcing rib extending longitudinallyr along the other aw, and within a slot which -is formed within the cam, the lever being adapted to engage slidingly with said jaw whereby to-exert a torce at shifting points thereupon, substantially as described.

L. R. ZIFFERER. 

